As is so often the case with traditions and collections, our Christmas Tree Rule is rooted in innocent circumstance. As newlyweds, purchasing a large amount of Christmas decorative fun wasn't exactly in the budget. That, combined with my enjoyment of making things, resulted in a nearly 30 year tradition of only handcrafted or gifted ornaments being allowed to grace the tree. This year ornaments that were on my grandparents tree have brought a multi-generational dimension to the collection. The end result is a wonderful, ecclectic display that not only holds tremendous meaning but has an interesting way of depicting the passage of time and growth of our family.